"My name’s Sally and I’m 41 years old, married to Tom with 3 year old Joshua.I was the least sporty person at school, always last to be picked and couldn’t catch, throw or hit anything. I didn’t start regularly exercising until I was in my mid-thirties when I joined a gym and started doing exercise classes. I discovered that I actually really enjoyed it! My husband was a fairly keen runner at the time and took me out for a couple of runs but I didn’t find it enjoyable and decided running really wasn’t for me.

After I had Joshua in 2015 I desperately wanted to get back to doing some exercise but with Tom often away with the army, I found it almost impossible to go to the gym or classes and I had no motivation to do exercise DVDs at home. By the time Joshua turned 1 I really wanted to do some regular exercise and my husband suggested we give Parkrun a try. We had an all-terrain buggy which meant we could both run and childcare wasn’t required! I discovered that actually, running wasn’t too bad after all. Later that month, I noticed a friend on Facebook was part of a ladies running group called These Girls Can Run and that she took her buggy along! I joined the group and lurked for a while, plucking up the courage to go along.Turning up to my first session a few weeks later was nerve-wracking! I was worried I’d be too slow or get lost and on top of that I had a buggy and a one-year old to worry about! I needn’t have been concerned – everyone was so welcoming and everyone ran at their own pace, with no pressure at all. I managed to run the whole 5km without stopping and I felt incredible. Within a week I’d bought a running buggy and I never looked back!

One of the highlights in the first few months was holding the TGCR banner on the Tyne Bridge at the Great North Run. The atmosphere was unbelievable and I felt part of an amazing team, even though I wasn’t even running. Within 3 days (with a bit of encouragement from the other ladies!) I entered a half marathon!!! This was the first race I’d ever entered and with only 5 weeks to go I had a bit of training to do! Since then I’ve done several half marathons and a couple of 10km races, including one in fancy dress with the buggy!

TGCR was a lifeline for me. Being a military wife who also worked from home, I often felt isolated but when I joined These Girls Can Run I found the most amazing group of women. I have found friends for life who I can run with, laugh with, cry with and eat cake with.

Sadly in May 2018 my husband was posted to the West Midlands and I was extremely sad to leave behind my beloved running group and the North East. Knowing what TGCR had brought to my life, I decided to sign up for the course to become a Run Group Leader. I am so excited to bring These Girls Can Run to Albrighton and I’m looking forward to helping other ladies learn to run and learn to love it as much as I do!"

"Joined the Albrighton club, never run in my life! Very supportive group and so encouraging. Slowly building up distance and extend splits. Love my monday night out with the girls" - Wendy

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